Rapid activation system for a laser-sighting assembly

ABSTRACT

A rapid activation system for a laser-sighting assembly of a handgun includes a normally-off magnetically functionable on-off switch disposed within the laser assembly. The system includes a holster proportioned to hold the handgun and is formed of a magnetically permeable material. The system further includes a magnetic element secured upon an external surface of the holster and positioned within electromagnetic communication with the on-off switch of the laser assembly. Upon withdrawal of the handgun, the holster magnetic flux attendant to the magnetic element will be removed from magnetic communication with the on-off switch of the laser sighting assembly thereby actuating the switch and, with it, the laser assembly such that the laser sighting assembly is fully functional and when the gun is withdrawn from the holster.

REFERENCE TO DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT

This application corresponds in subject matter to Document Disclosure Number 549,836, filed Mar. 26, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Area of Invention

The invention relates to an external switch for a modular sighting laser of a handgun.

B. Prior Art

Handguns having integral or selectably attachable laser sights have existed for a number of years, this as is reflected in U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,773 (1999) to Claridge, entitled Integral Laser Sight, Switch for a Gun; U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,226 (1996) to Houde-Walter, entitled firearm; U.S. Pat. No. 5,581,898 (1996) to Thummel, entitled Modular Sighting Laser for a Fire Arm; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,578,311 (2003) to Danielson, entitled Apparatus and Method for Actuating a Weapon Accessory by a Laser Sighting Beam.

Other patents which show a laser gun sight mounted internally to the recoil spring guide rod of a weapon, said patent including U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,364 (1995) to Paldino, entitled Internally Mounted Laser Gun Site; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,550 (1995) to Moore, entitled Internal Laser Sight for Weapons.

Notwithstanding significant developments in the art of laser sighting means for guns and other weapons, many of such system require either manual actuation of the laser sight or use a laser sight which is continually on such that the user's location may be revealed in a combat situation. A concern therefore has long existed that a laser gun sight may either prove awkward to actuate, or if in a normally on position, may actually prove counter-productive in a tactical situation. The present invention is therefore utilizes a normally-off laser-sighting system which however is automatically actuated by the user upon removal of the gun or weapon from a holster. The invention therefore addresses a long-felt need in the art of gun equipped with an internally sighted laser sight.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a rapid activation system for a laser-sighting assembly of a handgun. Therein, the system includes a normally-off magnetically functionable on-off switch disposed within said laser assembly. The system includes a holster proportioned to hold said handgun and is formed of a magnetically permeable material. The system further includes a magnetic element secured upon an external surface of said holster and positioned within electromagnetic communication with said on-off switch of the laser assembly. Thereby, upon withdrawal of the handgun, the magnetic flux attendant to said magnetic element on the holster will be removed from magnetic communication with the on-off switch of the laser sighting assembly thereby actuating said switch and, with it, said laser such that the laser sighting assembly is fully functional when the gun is fully withdrawn from the holster.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a self-contained accessory which is automatically activated upon withdrawal of a gun equipped therewith from a holster therefore.

It is another object to provide a more tactically practically means of rapid target sighting which does not readily reveal the location of the user by an adversary.

The above and yet other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the hereinafter set forth Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description of the Invention and claims appended herewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a handgun having an accessory rail.

FIG. 2 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 1, however showing attachment laser sighting assembly to accessory rails of the gun.

FIG. 3 is a side schematic view of the inventive system showing the position of the hand gun relative to a holster and the magnetic strip associated therewith.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken through Line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a view of the underportion of the front of the gun shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional schematic view taken through Line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side plan view of a gun equipped with a second embodiment of the invention which the laser sighting assembly comprises a miniaturized package positioned within a forward portion of the recoil spring rod of the hand gun.

FIG. 8 is a front portion schematic view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 including a breakaway view of the recoil spring rod thereof.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the elements of the second embodiment of the invention of FIGS. 7-8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown in side plan view a typical handgun 10 to which the instant rapid targeting laser sighting system is applicable. More particularly, in FIG. 1 is shown accessory rail 12, or universal mounting system, upon which various accessories inclusive of a laser sighting assembly may be attached. Such an assembly 100, as shown in FIG. 2, facilitates accuracy of aiming gun 10 through its generation of a laser sighting beam 102 by which a target may be much more accurately and quickly sighted prior to firing of gun 10.

Shown in FIG. 3 is a holster 104 which holds gun 10 such that only handle 14 protrudes therefrom. Attached to an exterior surface of holster 104 is a magnet 106 which is secured in electromagnetic proximity to laser sighting assembly 100. It is noted that holster 104 must be made of a magnetically permeable material such as a fabric, plastic, and leather through which magnetic flux may freely pass.

The position of laser sighting assembly 100 may be more fully appreciated with reference to FIG. 5 in which said assembly is shown secured to said accessory rail 12. Also shown therein is a manual override, so-called dip type, rocker or slide, switch 114 connected in line with a power source such as watch-type batteries 112 (see FIG. 6) in a positive side circuit, or within a negative/ground circuit, to manually disconnect switch 108 and laser 110 from said power source 112. Switch 108 may take the form of a reed switch, of the SPDT, C Type is positioned in line with power source 112 and functions to connect the power source to laser 110 when it is removed from close proximity of a magnetic field. Thereby, it should be understood that switch 108 is normally-off as long as it is positioned near a magnetic field of sufficient strength, such as the field of magnet 106. An appropriate magnet for this application includes a N40 grade magnet. It is noted that magnet 106 may be attached to holster 104 by various means including double sided tape, glue, or a sewing of the magnet to the holster or weapon holding device. Further, a pocket 116 (see FIG. 3) provides a means of attachment to a holster clip and/or on a belt.

In view of the above, it may be appreciated that the removal of gun 10 from holster 104 will remove switch 108 from the magnetic field of magnet 106 thereby actuating said switch and closing the circuit of FIG. 6 to provide power to laser 110, so that laser beam 102 may be generated.

A further embodiment 200 of the invention is shown in FIGS. 7-9. Therein is shown a recoil spring rod 18 of gun 10, which is positioned below gun barrel 20 and within semi-annular lower portion 16 of outer gun body. Within recoil 18 is provided all of the elements above set forth in FIG. 6. That is, shown within recoil rod 18 reed switch 208, laser current board 211, laser diode 210 and its resulting sighting beam 202. Through miniaturization of parts, said batteries as well as said reed switch may be packaged within the recoil rod. As is noted in FIG. 9, recoil spring 22 interfaces with embodiment 200 thru end cap 26 and retainer clip 24. In such embodiment 200, the location of magnet 106 would differ slightly so that magnetic communication between the magnet and reed switch may be maintained when the gun is holstered. (The location of said recoil spring rod 18 relative to the entire gun is further shown in FIG. 7. Pocket 116 may also be used as an attachment to a gun holster belt clip.

While there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the instant invention, it is to be appreciated that the invention may be embodied otherwise than is herein specifically shown and described and that, within said embodiment, certain changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts without departing from the underlying ideas or principles of this invention as set forth in the claims appended herewith. 

1. A rapid activation system for a laser-sighting assembly of a hand gun, said system comprising: (a) a normally-off electro-magnetically operable on-off switch disposed within said assembly; (b) a holster proportioned to hold said hand gun, said holster formed of a magnetically permeable material. (c) a magnetic element secured upon an external surface of said holster and positioned within electromagnetic communication with said on-off switch, whereby withdrawal of said handgun will remove magnetic flux attendant said magnetic element, thereby activating said switch of said laser sighting assembly, turning on the laser thereof when said handgun is drawn.
 2. The system as recited in claim 1, in which said holster comprises a thick woven cloth.
 3. The system as recited in claim 1, in which said magnetic element comprises at least one planar surface.
 4. The system as recited in claim 3, in which said magnetic element comprises at least one planar surface.
 5. The system as recited in claim 1, in which said laser-sighting assembly comprises: an attachment to an accessory rail at a forward under-portion of said handgun.
 6. The system as recited in claim 1, in which said system comprises as miniaturized package positioned within a portion of a recoil rod of said handgun.
 7. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprises a manual override switch comprises means for deactuating said assembly if said handgun is withdrawn.
 8. A rapid activation system for a laser-sighting assembly of a handgun, said system comprising: (a) a normally-off electromagnetically operable on-off switch within said assembly; (b) a holster proportioned to hold said handgun, said holster formed of magnetically permeable material; and (c) a magnetic element secured within a surface of said holster and positioned within electro-magnetic communication with said on-off switch, whereby withdrawal of said handgun will remove magnetic flux attendant said magnetic element, thereby activating said switch of said laser sighting assembly, turning on the laser thereof when said handgun is drawn.
 9. The system as recited in claim 8, in which said holster comprises a thick woven cloth.
 10. The system as recited in claim 9, in which said magnetic element comprises at least one planar surface.
 11. The system as recited in claim 3, in which said magnetic element comprises at least one planar surface.
 12. The system as recited in claim 8, in which said laser-sighting assembly comprises: an attachment to an accessory rail at a forward under path of said handgun.
 13. The system as recited in claim 8, in which said system comprises as miniaturized package positioned within a forward portion of a re-coil rod of said handgun.
 14. The system as recited in claim 8, further comprises a manual override switch comprises means for deactuating said assembly if said handgun is withdrawn. 